EU en landen Oostelijk Partnerschap maken afspraken over vervoer (en)

Under the leadership of Minister Grabarczyk, a meeting of Transport Ministers devoted to the Eastern Partnership was held on 24^th-25^th October.

The acceptance of the declaration on transport cooperation between the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries concluded the informal meeting of EU Transport Ministers devoted to the Eastern Partnership, held on 24^th-25^thOctober in Cracow. It was the second informal meeting of EU Transport Ministers during the Polish Presidency and was chaired on behalf of the Presidency by Infrastructure Minister Cezary Grabarczyk.

In the declaration, the Communication of the European Commission entitled ‘The European Union and its neighbouring regions: a renewed approach to transport cooperation’ is acknowledged as making a specific contribution to achieving the goals of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The document emphasised the importance of cooperation with international financial institutions to improve infrastructure quality.

The participants of the declaration gladly agreed to the creation of an Eastern Partnership Transport Panel (EPTP) as a permanent platform for transport cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries. Its creation was proposed in an announcement by the Commission regarding transport cooperation between the EU and its neighbouring regions. Countries from the Eastern Partnership will participate in the meetings. One of the main objectives of the Panel will be to appraise infrastructure projects and recommend their implementation.

In his speech, Minister Grabarczyk underlined the role of cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries in the transport realm. ‘Partnership countries are important for European Transport Policy. The land border with these countries is the longest external border of the EU. Almost all of the most important East-West connections pass through their territory. The increasing revitalisation of economic exchange between the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries requires effective and modern transport links,’ the Minister said.

Ministers from EU Member States, representatives of the European Commission, its Vice-President and Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas i, Representatives of the Eastern Partnership countries, Croatia as well as representatives of international financial institutions including the European Investment Bank, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development i all took part in the meeting.

Within the scope of the conference a debate of Ministers was held, which concentrated on the practical aspects of transport cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries. The basis for discussion was the announcement regarding EU transport policy for neighbouring countries, including the issue of obtaining funds for the realisation of infrastructure projects.